JUBA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Airlines on Wednesday launched its first direct flight to South Sudan.
Taban Deng Gai, South Sudan's Vice-President for Infrastructure Cluster, said the Ankara-based airline will have three weekly flights from Istanbul to Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Gai said during the launch in Juba the launch of the direct flights will enhance closer cooperation between the civil aviation sectors of the two countries.
He added that they hope to use this moment to lure Turkish companies to invest in various sectors of the South Sudan economy.
James Wani Igga, Vice President for Economic Cluster, said that the operations of Turkish airlines will encourage unity and strengthen cultural ties between peoples of the two countries.
He hailed the airline as a game-changer in the young nation's nascent civil aviation sector.
Bilal Eksi, Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Airlines, said that flying to Juba will help cement already existing close bilateral relations between Juba and Ankara.
"It's a pleasure for me to celebrate our first flight from Istanbul to Juba which is our 62nd destination to Africa," Eksi said. ■